Cosmetic Applicator, A Makeup Kit Including Such an Applicator, and Use of Such a Kit

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator comprising:
         a sheath that extends along a longitudinal axis to a free end;   a handle that is connected to the sheath;   a central stem that extends along the longitudinal axis to a free end, the central stem and the sheath being slidably mounted relative to each other; and   an applicator head that is situated at the free end of the central stem, the sheath forming, at its free end, a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the applicator head.       

     The sheath further presents, at its free end, at least one recess that passes radially therethrough and that opens out axially. The length of the stem is adapted so that the applicator head is capable of facing a recess portion on being wiped by the wiper member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

More particularly, the invention relates to a cosmetic applicator comprising:

-   -   a sheath that extends along a longitudinal axis to a free end;     -   a handle that is connected to the sheath;     -   a central stem that extends along the longitudinal axis to a         free end, the central stem and the sheath being slidably mounted         relative to each other; and     -   an applicator head that is situated at the free end of the         central stem, the sheath forming, at its free end, a wiper         member that is adapted to wipe the applicator head.

Such cosmetic applicators provided with a slidable stem are known, e.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,763 that describes a telescopic mascara applicator.

Such applicators, in which the stem is extended out from the sheath in its working position, but is retracted while in its rest position, make it possible to protect the stem while it is not being used. However, the use of such applicators, having a stem that passes from a retracted rest position to a working position in which the applicator head lies outside the sheath, does not propose selectively wiping the applicator head. In addition, the state of the applicator head degrades very quickly as a result of being in the retracted position inside the sheath for a long time.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A particular object of the present invention is to mitigate that drawback.

To this end, according to the invention, the sheath further presents, at its free end, at least one recess that passes radially therethrough and that opens out axially, and the length of the stem is adapted so that at least a portion of the applicator head is capable of facing at least a portion of said at least one recess on being wiped by the wiper member.

By means of these provisions, the stem is wiped on being retracted, except in the recess, thereby allowing a quantified and localized excess of cosmetic to remain on the applicator head.

In various embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following provisions may also be used, which provisions may be considered independently or in combination:

-   -   the sheath is mounted in non-movable manner relative to the         handle, and the central stem is mounted in slidable manner         relative to the sheath;     -   the central stem is mounted in non-movable manner relative to         the handle, and the sheath is mounted in slidable manner         relative to the central stem;     -   at its free end, the sheath presents two recesses that pass         radially therethrough and that open out axially, the two         recesses being disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal         axis;     -   the recess presents a shape making it possible to distribute the         cosmetic specifically over one or more localized zones of the         applicator head;     -   the wall of the sheath presents a variation in thickness in the         vicinity of the recess;     -   the applicator head is slidably mounted in the sheath between a         working position in which the applicator head is situated         outside the sheath, and a retracted position in which the         applicator head is retracted inside the sheath;     -   the handle is provided with an actuator that enables the         applicator head to change position between a first position in         which the applicator head is in its working position, and a         second position in which the applicator head is in its retracted         position;     -   in this configuration, the actuator further includes a resilient         member that is situated in the handle and that is connected to         one of the elements from among the central stem and the sheath;     -   the resilient member is in its rest position when the applicator         head is in its working position, and is in its stressed position         when the applicator head is in its retracted position;     -   the applicator head further includes a magnet and/or magnetic or         magnetizable particles;     -   the applicator head presents projecting and/or hollow portions         in relief.

In addition, the invention also provides a makeup kit comprising a reservoir containing a cosmetic for application, and a cosmetic applicator as described above. The handle of the cosmetic applicator may also form a stopper for the reservoir, and the reservoir may further include a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the sheath.

The applicator head may further include a magnet and/or magnetic or magnetizable particles when the cosmetic is a powder including magnetic or magnetizable particles.

The invention also provides the use of such a makeup kit for applying a cosmetic to a surface, e.g. to the lips, to the nails, and/or to keratinous fibers (eyelashes, eyebrows, hair, . . . ), or to any other part of the human body that requires it.

The use of an applicator of the invention comprises the following steps. The applicator head is dipped beforehand into the reservoir of cosmetic so as to load the applicator head with cosmetic, that is unless the applicator head is already stored in part in the reservoir, in direct contact with the cosmetic. In a second step, the user retracts the applicator head into the sheath so as to wipe off any surplus cosmetic except in the recess, prior to extending the head out from the sheath so as to be ready to make up a surface with the cosmetic that is selectively distributed over the applicator head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be well understood and its advantages appear better on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention shown by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a longitudinal section view of an applicator of the invention, the applicator head being in its working position;

FIG. 1B is a longitudinal section view of the

FIG. 1A applicator, the applicator head being in its retracted position;

FIG. 2A is a view of the FIG. 1A applicator;

FIG. 2B is a view of the FIG. 1B applicator;

FIG. 3A is a longitudinal section view of an applicator in another embodiment, the applicator head being in its working position;

FIG. 3B is a longitudinal section view of the FIG. 3A applicator, the applicator head being in its retracted position;

FIG. 4A is a larger-scale perspective view of the FIG. 2A applicator at the free end of the sheath and showing a recess;

FIG. 4B is a larger-scale perspective view of the FIG. 2B applicator at the free end of the sheath and showing a recess;

FIG. 5A is a larger-scale perspective view of a recess of the applicator in a variant;

FIG. 5B is a larger-scale perspective view of a recess of the applicator in another variant;

FIG. 6A is a larger-scale perspective view of a recess of the applicator in another variant;

FIG. 6B is a larger-scale perspective view at the free end of the sheath of an applicator in another variant, the sheath including two recesses;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of an applicator showing an actuator in a variant;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section view of an applicator showing an actuator in another variant;

FIG. 9A is a view of a detail of the applicator head of the invention;

FIG. 9B is a view of a detail of an applicator in another variant;

FIG. 9C is a view of a detail of an applicator in another variant;

FIG. 10 is a view of a makeup kit of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view of a makeup kit of the invention; and

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a makeup kit of the invention in use.

MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the different figures, the same references designate elements that are identical or similar.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a cosmetic applicator 10, in a first embodiment, that includes an applicator head 12 that is situated at the free end 14 a of a central stem 14 that extends along a longitudinal axis X-X. The central stem 14 is slidably mounted in a sheath 16 that also extends along the longitudinal axis. The sheath 16 is fastened in non-movable manner to a handle 18 at one of its ends 16 b, while its opposite end 16 a is free.

The applicator head 12 is slidably mounted in the sheath 16 between a working position, as shown in FIG. 1A, in which the applicator head 12 is situated outside the sheath 16, and a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1B, in which the applicator head 12 is retracted inside the sheath 16. The working position corresponds to the working position of the applicator for loading the applicator head 12 with cosmetic and/or for applying said cosmetic to a surface to be covered, while the retracted position corresponds to a position that the user causes to be taken up deliberately so as to wipe the applicator head 12.

More precisely, the free end 14 a of the central stem 14 is situated in the vicinity of the free end 16 a of the sheath 16 in the working position (FIG. 1A), whereas the free end 14 a of the central stem 14 is placed inside the sheath 16 (FIG. 1B) in its retracted position.

At its free end 16 a, the sheath 16 forms a wiper member 17 that is adapted to wipe the applicator head 12 while said applicator head is passing from its working position to its retracted position. Specifically, in its working position (FIG. 1A), the applicator head 12 is preferably situated, over all or part of its length, outside the sheath 16, whereas in its retracted position (FIG. 1B), the applicator head 12 is preferably placed completely inside the sheath 16, with the free end 12 a of the applicator head also preferably being retracted inside the sheath 16, so as to wipe the applicator head all the way to its free end 16 a.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a cosmetic applicator 10 in another embodiment in which the applicator head 12 situated at the free end 14 a of a central stem 14 is fastened in non-movable manner relative to the handle 18, while it is the sheath 16 that is movable relative to the applicator head 12 and relative to the handle 18. Apart from these differences relative to the embodiment in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the applicator head 12 likewise adopts a working position (shown in FIG. 3A) in which the applicator head 12 is situated outside the sheath 16, and a retracted position (shown in FIG. 3B) in which the applicator head 12 is inside the sheath 16.

The stem 14 of the cosmetic applicator 10 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B may advantageously be fastened to the handle 18 with a given orientation relative to the sheath 16. The applicator head 12 thus slides inside the sheath 16 in the same way on each retraction/extension, and this does not depend on the way in which the applicator head 12 is inserted into the sheath 16 at the wiper member 17.

By means of such arrangements, it is thus possible to make wiping completely reproducible. It is also possible to be unaffected by the shapes of the section of the applicator head 12 and of the section of the wiper member 17 of the sheath 16, so as to limit the phenomenon of wear, in particular when the sections of the applicator head 12 and of the wiper member 17 of the sheath 16 are different, or when the sections are identical but not circular. It is possible to be unaffected by the way in which the applicator head 12 enters into the wiper member 17 of the sheath 16 only when both sections are identical and circular.

By way of example (not shown), for an applicator head 12 and a wiper member 17 of sections that are triangular, it is not possible for the applicator head 12 to be wiped in reproducible manner and/or for wear to be avoided with a conventional applicator, since the user cannot choose easily, if at all, between the only three orientations that are possible for a triangle to penetrate into another triangle if it is desired to avoid subjecting the vertices of the triangle to more thorough wiping.

By means of this embodiment of the applicator of the invention in which the orientation of the applicator head 12 may be determined selectively relative to the wiper member 17 of the sheath 16, it is thus possible to wipe the applicator head 12 in reproducible manner while limiting wear, or even to wipe selectively the vertices of the applicator head 12 of triangular section so that said vertices constitute “combing” zones since they are less heavily loaded with cosmetic, with the other portions constituting “loading” zones since they are more heavily loaded with cosmetic.

This embodiment thus makes it possible to wipe the applicator head 12 in differential manner, enabling certain zones of said applicator head 12 to be wiped selectively and in different ways. In addition, with this embodiment, it is possible to position the loading zone(s) created on the applicator head 12 by the recess(es) 20, 21, as described below, relative to grip means that are positioned on the handle 18. Comfortable use is thus made easier, since there is no need to orientate the applicator 10 in order to put the applicator head 12 in a desired position that depends on the way the grip means are held. It is also possible to orientate the applicator head 12 selectively, depending on the shape of its section, optionally in combination with the position of the cosmetic loading zone(s) on the applicator head 12.

Whatever the embodiment (movable applicator head 12 or movable sheath 16), the sheath 16 further presents, at its free end 16 a, and as shown in FIG. 2A for example, at least one recess 20 that passes radially through the sheath 16, and that opens out axially along the axis X-X towards the free end 16 a of the sheath.

Each recess 20 creates a rupture zone of the wiper member 17. The sheath 16 and the central stem 14 extend along the longitudinal axis X-X in cylindrical manner, the wiper member 17 being formed at the periphery of the free end 16 a of the sheath 16, as shown better in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 2B shows the cosmetic applicator 10 in its retracted position, the end 12 a of the applicator head 12 being inserted completely inside the sheath. A portion of the applicator head 12 is visible through the recess 20. It should be understood that the portion 12 c of the applicator head 12 that is situated in the recess 20 is not wiped by the wiper 17, whereas the remainder of the applicator head (portion 12 d) is wiped whenever said applicator head is retracted into the sheath 16.

More precisely, the dimensional characteristics of the space 22 available between the applicator head 12 and the sheath 16 have a direct impact on the wiping of the applicator head 12. It should be understood that the narrower the space 22 the greater the wiping.

The recess 20 preferably extends longitudinally along the axis X-X, and may also have various shapes depending on the desired application. In FIGS. 2A-2B and 4A-4B, the recess 20 is of oblong shape, whereas the recess shown in detail in FIG. 5A is cone shaped with a base 20 a that is situated at the end 16 a of the tube, while the vertex 20 b of the cone of the recess 20 is remote from the end 16 a of the tube 16. Naturally, the portion 12 c is of a shape that corresponds to the shape of the recess 20, whatever the shape of said recess. For a cone-shaped recess, as shown in FIG. 5A, the non-wiped portion 12 c of the stem 12 is of a shape that flares progressively towards the free end 12 a.

Thus, the recess 20 may be of various shapes so as to define a portion 12 c that is not wiped by the sheath 16 (i.e. a portion that is more heavily loaded with cosmetic), which portion optionally presents a width l that is substantially constant along the axis X-X.

For example, FIG. 5A shows a recess 20 of flared shape presenting a width l that decreases along the axis X-X on going away from the free end 16 a of the sheath 16.

The recess 20 may also be of stepped shape, possibly combined with the flared shape as shown in FIG. 5A.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A for example, the wall of the sheath 16 may present a variation in thickness e20 in the vicinity of the recess 20 so as to vary the force with which the applicator head 12 is wiped by the sheath 16. The greater the free space available for the applicator head 12 inside the sheath 16, the less the applicator head 12 is wiped. However, for a given applicator head 12, the amount of free space that is available depends on the thickness e20 of the inside wall of the sheath 16. Thus, the wiping force varies with the thickness e20 of the inside wall of the sheath 16. The greater the thickness e20, the greater the wiping force.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A for example, the thickness e20 of the wall of the recess 20 varies, preferably progressively increasing from the free end 16 a of the sheath 16 to the end of the recess 20′. The sheath 16 may further present at least a second recess. The various recesses may be analogous or different. The recesses are preferably distributed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis X-X, at the free end 16 a of the sheath 16.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the sheath 16 presents a second recess 21 that passes radially therethrough and that opens out axially, the first recess 20 and the second recess 21 are disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis X-X.

It should be observed that the position(s) of the recess(es) 20, 21 in the sheath 16 and their shape characteristics may be combined so as to adapt the capacities of the applicator to the desired makeup effect.

In order to pass the applicator head 12 from one position to the other, the cosmetic applicator is preferably provided with an actuator that is connected to the central stem 14. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, the handle 18 presents a slot 24 in which an actuator 26 may be moved.

The actuator 26 is movable between a first position, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, in which the applicator head is in its working position, and a second position, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, in which the applicator head 12 is in its retracted position. Other mechanisms are possible for moving the applicator head from its retracted position to its working position, e.g. such as mechanisms of the rotary type as used for lipsticks. With that type of mechanism, a turning movement of a portion of the casing causes the applicator element to move in translation. That type of mechanism is preferable for an applicator head and a sheath having circular sections.

The slot 24 may be bayonet shaped, as shown in FIG. 7, in which configuration the actuator 26 can slide freely between a first end 24 a, where it can be locked in its first position, and a second end 24 b, where it can be locked in its second position. Between these two extreme positions, the actuator 26 is free to slide along the central slot 24 c whenever it is actuated.

When the applicator head 12 is movable relative to the handle 18, the actuator 26 is connected directly to the central stem 14, as shown in FIG. 1A, or by any other means that enable the stem 14 to slide in the sheath by actuating the actuator 26.

However, when the sheath 16 is movable, the actuator 26 is connected directly to the sheath 16, as shown in FIG. 3A, or by any other means that enable the sheath 16 to slide around the stem 14 by actuating the actuator 26.

A resilient member 28 may be provided for this purpose and also so as to return the actuator 26 towards the working position.

Specifically, as shown better in FIGS. 1A-1B, when the applicator head 12 is movable relative to the handle 18, the resilient member 28 is housed between the trailing end 14 b of the stem 14 (remote from the free end 14 a) and the top wall 18 b of the handle 18. To this end, the longitudinal wall of the handle 18 co-operates with the trailing end 18 b and a leading end 18 a to define a chamber in which the resilient member 28 is confined. At its trailing end 18 b, the chamber 30 may be provided with a central pin 32 that enables the resilient member 28 to be centered, in particular when it is a helical coil spring, as shown in the figures. In addition, the trailing end 14 b of the stem 14 may be provided in similar manner with another pin 34 having the same function. The coil spring 28 is preferably a compression spring so that the working position corresponds to a natural position thereof. Whenever the actuator 26 is in its second position (in which it is held by the user), and is then released, the coil spring 28 relaxes and drives the stem 14 out from the sheath 16.

In order to ensure that the stem 14 slides in stable manner within the sheath, the trailing end 14 b of the stem 14 may be provided with a sleeve 35 that is adapted firstly to slide inside the chamber 30, and secondly to receive some of the turns of the spring 28—specifically, a few of them.

The leading end 18 a of the chamber 30 also forms an abutment for the sleeve 35. The sheath 16 thus extends between its free end 16 a and the leading end 18 a of the chamber. Thus, the stem 14 may slide substantially coaxially within the sheath 16.

When the sheath 16 is movable relative to the handle 18, as shown better in FIGS. 3A-3B, the resilient member 28 is housed between the trailing end 16 b of the sheath 16 (remote from the free end 16 a) and the leading end 18 a of the chamber 30. To this end, the longitudinal wall of the handle 18 co-operates with the trailing end 16 b and a leading end 18 a to define a chamber 30 in which the resilient member 28 is confined. The resilient member 28 is centered in the chamber by being mounted coaxially with the sheath 16, in particular when the resilient member is a helical coil spring, as shown in the figures. The coil spring 28 is preferably a compression spring so that the working position corresponds to a natural position thereof. When the actuator 26 is in its second position (in which it is held by the user), whenever it is released, the coil spring 28 relaxes and drives the sheath 16 over the stem 14, more precisely over the applicator head 12.

In order to ensure that the sheath 16 slides in stable manner around the stem 14, the handle may be provided with a central pin 32 that enables the stem 14 to be fastened to the handle 18.

Furthermore, the trailing end 16 b of the sheath 16 may be provided with a sleeve 35 that is adapted firstly to slide inside the chamber 30, and secondly to receive some of the turns of the spring 28—specifically, a few of them. The leading end 18 a of the chamber 30 also forms an abutment for the sleeve 35.

The presence of the spring 28 makes it possible to simplify the slot 24, and as a result, it no longer requires a bayonet shape as shown in FIG. 7, but may merely be rectilinear, extending along the longitudinal axis X-X, as can be seen better in FIG. 2A. The resilient member may be a coil spring 28, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, but may equally well be replaced by a leaf spring, e.g. as shown in FIG. 8, or by any other resilient member of known type.

In addition, the applicator head 12 may be of any kind. In particular, it may be a brush made up of a rigid metal core and of bristles, a brush made of molded and/or injection-molded plastics material optionally provided with bristles (not shown in the figures), or a flocked endpiece. It may also be made of metal. If made of metal, the applicator head 12 is preferably helically shaped, such as a screw thread as shown in the figures and seen better in detail in FIG. 9A. In another variant, the cosmetic applicator 10 may further include a magnet 13 that is placed in the applicator head 12 that is provided with a housing for this purpose, as shown in FIG. 9B, or the applicator head 12, in particular when it is made of metal, may itself be magnetized. The applicator head 12 may equally well be made of a material that includes magnetic or magnetizable particles that are capable of generating a magnetic field. The term “magnetizable particles” means particles that are capable of generating a magnetic field when they have been subjected to a magnetic field that is used to magnetize them, whether for the applicator head or for the cosmetic, as mentioned below in one of the embodiments. Said particles may be magnetized after the applicator head and/or cosmetic has been manufactured, or they may be magnetized by means of a magnet that is incorporated in the applicator itself or in the makeup kit of the invention. These magnetic properties are particularly desired when the cosmetic that is to be applied with the cosmetic applicator 10 also presents such magnetic properties, as described in detail below.

In another variant, the applicator head 12 may present portions in relief (projections and/or hollows); specifically, as shown in FIG. 9C for example, the applicator head 12 may be provided with a plurality of projections 15 that are preferably distributed regularly over the surface of the applicator head 12. In this configuration, the applicator head 12 is preferably obtained by injection-molding.

FIG. 10 shows a makeup kit comprising a reservoir 36 containing a cosmetic 38, and a cosmetic applicator 10, as described above. The makeup kit may be contained in a compact 40 that is provided with housings that are adapted to receive the reservoir 36 and the applicator 10 respectively. Just like the reservoir 36, the compact 40 may be of various shapes and may optionally be provided with a lid.

The makeup kit may also be in the form of a cylindrical reservoir that extends along the longitudinal axis X-X, in which configuration the handle 18 of the applicator 10 may form a stopper for the reservoir 42, and is arranged so that the applicator head 12 dips into the cosmetic 38 for application, when the handle 18 closes the reservoir 42, as shown in FIG. 11. The reservoir 42 may further be provided with a wiper member 44, making it possible to wipe the sheath 16 when said sheath is removed from the reservoir 42.

Such a makeup kit is particularly for applying makeup to the lips, the nails, or keratinous fibers, in particular the eyelashes, and enables the cosmetic, in particular mascara, to be measured out appropriately and applied accurately.

The cosmetic applicator may preferably be used in the following way.

Starting from a makeup kit as shown in FIG. 10, and after removing the applicator 10 from its housing formed in the compact 40, the user may load the applicator head 12 heavily with the cosmetic 38 (the applicator head 12 being in its working position outside the sheath 16).

The user then retracts the applicator head into the sheath 16 by means of the actuator 26 so as to wipe off any surplus cosmetic 38 by means of the wiper member 17. In order to do this, the user slides the actuator 26 towards its second position (as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B), then releases the actuator 26, which then returns naturally into its first position in which the applicator head 12 is situated outside the sheath 16. During this operation, the applicator head 12 is thus relieved of any surplus cosmetic 38 in the portion 12 d on coming into contact with the wiper 17, while the portion 12 c that corresponds to the portion of the stem facing the recess 20, remains loaded with cosmetic 38.

The user may then coat cosmetic onto the surface that it is desired to cover, e.g. the lips, the nails, or any type of keratinous fibers, e.g. such as the eyelashes 46, as shown in FIG. 12.

In order to coat the eyelashes 46, the user preferably begins by using the portion 12 c that is the more heavily loaded with cosmetic 38, and continues by spreading the cosmetic over the eyelashes 46 by means of the previously wiped portion 12 d of the applicator head 12. During these operations, the actuator 26 makes it easy for the user to locate the position of the portion 12 c of the applicator head 12 that is loaded with cosmetic, since they are preferably in alignment with each other along the longitudinal axis X-X.

When the cosmetic applicator 10 includes an applicator head 12 that also includes a magnet 13, the applicator head 12 is also loaded with cosmetic 38 by magnetic attraction. Preferably, the cosmetic 38 includes iron oxides (Fe₃O₄), or an analogous ingredient, that impart the desired magnetic properties thereto. Advantageously, the cosmetic includes nacres containing said iron oxides or the like.

In this particular embodiment, a makeup kit may advantageously be used to make up a surface with a cosmetic 38 in the form of a magnetic or magnetizable powder, said powder being held on the applicator head by attraction. Such a makeup kit is particularly appropriate for applying a magnetic makeup to the eyelashes in powder form, after the surface of the eyelashes has been coated with a first cosmetic 38, such as a mascara.

In addition and in general, a makeup kit of the invention is particularly adapted to depositing a second cosmetic 38 to a surface that has already received, in full or in part, a first cosmetic 38.

For example, a first mascara is applied to the eyelashes by means of a known applicator of the prior art (or by means of a second applicator of the invention), then decorative effects are made by means of a makeup kit of the invention, which kit is particularly adapted to perform an application that is very localized, e.g. such as finishing touches.

For the makeup kit shown in FIG. 11, the user removes the stopper 18 from the reservoir 42 by taking hold of the handle 18 (that may be screw-fastened on the reservoir 42). Any surplus cosmetic is thus wiped off the sheath 16 during this operation by means of the wiper member 44, and then the user performs the same operations as described above for the makeup kit of FIG. 10. 

1. A cosmetic applicator comprising: a sheath that extends along a longitudinal axis to a free end; a handle that is connected to the sheath; a central stem that extends along the longitudinal axis to a free end, the central stem and the sheath being slidably mounted relative to each other; and an applicator head that is situated at the free end of the central stem, the sheath forming, at its free end, a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the applicator head; wherein the sheath further presents, at its free end, at least one recess that passes radially therethrough and that opens out axially; and wherein the length of the stem is adapted so that at least a portion of the applicator head is capable of facing at least a portion of said at least one recess on being wiped by the wiper member.
 2. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the sheath is mounted in non-movable manner relative to the handle, and the central stem is mounted in slidable manner relative to the sheath.
 3. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the central stem is mounted in non-movable manner relative to the handle, and the sheath is mounted in slidable manner relative to the central stem.
 4. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein, at its free end, the sheath presents two recesses that pass radially therethrough and that open out axially, said recesses being disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis.
 5. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the sheath presents a variation in thickness in the vicinity of the recess.
 6. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator head is slidably mounted in the sheath between a working position in which the applicator head is situated outside the sheath, and a retracted position in which the applicator head is retracted inside the sheath.
 7. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein said handle is provided with an actuator that enables the applicator head to change position between a first position in which the applicator head is in its working position, and a second position in which the applicator head is in its retracted position.
 8. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 7, wherein the actuator further includes a resilient member that is situated in the handle and that is connected to one of the elements from among the central stem and the sheath.
 9. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 8, wherein the resilient member is in its rest position when the applicator head is in its working position, and is in its stressed position when the applicator head is in its retracted position.
 10. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator head further includes a magnet and/or magnetic or magnetizable particles.
 11. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator head present portions in relief.
 12. A makeup kit comprising a reservoir containing a cosmetic for application, and a cosmetic applicator according to claim
 1. 13. A makeup kit according to claim 12, wherein the handle of the cosmetic applicator forms a stopper for the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir may further include a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the sheath.
 14. A makeup kit according to claim 12, wherein the applicator head further includes a magnet and/or magnetic or magnetizable particles, and wherein the cosmetic is a powder including magnetic or magnetizable particles.
 15. Use of a makeup kit according to claim 12 for applying a cosmetic to a surface. 